Dough feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transporting a plurality of divided elements of a tacky dough substance to a predetermined location where the elements are shaped into toroids. An impelling mechanism consisting essentially of driven impeller wheels is associated with the apparatus. The wheels engage and impel the elements from their predetermined location of a conveying portion of the apparatus at a uniformly predetermined rate, to a toroid-forming machine. The use of the impelling mechanism avoids pileup of one element upon another in the toroid-forming machine by overcoming the normally adhering characteristics of the elements to the material of the conveying portion of the apparatus, brought about by the normally tacky nature of the elements. The impelling mechanism, therefore provides only one element at a time through a feeder to a toroid-forming portion of the toroid-forming machine, thereby resulting in a toroid of uniform size and shape. The use of the impelling mechanism further prevents clogging of the toroid-forming machine by enabling only a single element at a time to be fed to this machine, thereby improving product reliability and reducing the rejection rate of the manufactured toroids.

United States Patent [54] DOUGH FEEDING APPARATUS 9 Claims, 6 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 198/103, 107/57, 198/128, 198/153, 198/185 [51] Int. Cl 865g37/00 [50] Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSCarroll Smith Heaslet Skinner et al. May et al. Koplin..... Reading Wirz(198/153) l98/103X 198/128X 198/25 198/128X 198/128X 198/25 198/103Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay AlromeyMiketta, Glenny, Poms & SmithABSTRACT: An apparatus for transporting a plurality of divided elementsof a tacky dough substance to a predetermined location where theelements are shaped into toroids. An impelling mechanism consistingessentially of driven impeller wheels is associated with the apparatus.The wheels engage and impel the elements from their predeterminedlocation of a conveying portion of the apparatus at a uniformlypredetermined rate, to a toroid-forming machine. The use of theimpelling mechanism avoids pileup of one element upon another in thetoroid-forming machine by overcoming the normally adheringcharacteristics of the elements to the material of the conveying portionof the apparatus, brought about by the normally tacky nature of theelements. The impelling mechanism, therefore provides only one elementat a time through a feeder to a toroid-forming portion of thetoroid-forming machine, thereby resulting in a toroid of uniform sizeand shape. The use of the impelling mechanism further prevents cloggingof the toroid-forming machine by enabling only a single element at atime to be fed to this machine, thereby improving product reliabilityand reducing the rejection rate of the manufactured toroids.

PATENTEI] HAY2 51971 SHEET 1 UF 3 JEE INVENTO'Q. Dag/1. If Tl/OMPSOA/firraeA/swt DOUGH FEEDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention embodiments disclosed herein may be used in conjunction withtoroid-forming and dough conveying machines which are disclosed in priorU.S. Pats, No. 3,031,979, issued May 1, I962 and No. 3,371,624, issuedMar. 5, 1968.

This invention relates in general to an apparatus for rapidlytransporting a plurality of divided elements of a pliant, deformable,tacky dough substance or other plastic material used for making toroids.More particularly, this invention relates to a conveyor apparatusparticularly suited for transporting relatively tough, elastic dough,required for making bagels of an annulus or toroid configurationpreparatory to baking the dough and to a finished bagel.

In the art of forming and baking bagels in the past, it has been thepractice to transport by means of a conveyor means, a plurality ofdivided elements of dough which had been subjected to proofing, to atoroid or other bagel-forming machines. Proofing is the time duringwhich the dough is allowed to rise, prior to baking to compensatetherefor. Inasmuch as the dough elements being fed by the conveyor meansare tacky, the tendency is for the dough elements to adhere to thematerial of the conveyor means. The dough elements are retained byholding means attached to the conveyor means at specificallypredetermined and regularly spaced locations on the conveyor means.These holding means, may be a plural number of cleats attached to aconveyor belt or may be a plural number of dough pans or trays attachedto a plural number of pivotable hangerswhich in turn are attached to theconveyor drive chains.

A major disadvantage of the conveyor belt and cleat configuration or ofthe dough pan and hanger arrangement, is brought about by aperiodicfeeding of the dough elements to a hopper of the toroid-forming machine.This aperiodic or erratic feeding is caused by the tacky character ofthe dough elements, where one dough element will adhere to the holdingcleat surface, conveyor belt surface or dough pan surface with differentdegrees of adhesion. The varied adhesive character of the dough elementswith respect to the different surfaces causes these elements to be fedto the toroid-forming machine, often with such irregularity that while aparticular toroid is in the process of being formed another doughelement is fed to the same forming portion of the toroid-formingmachine. Also, due to the lack of positive and impulsive feeding, two ormore dough elements may often be fed with insufficient time spacingtherebetween so that the toroid-forming portion is presented with two ormore dough elements to form the single toroid. This results in toroidsof varied size and operates to clog the toroidal-forming apparatus,thereby resulting in an unreliable toroid production cycle, andcontributing to down time for unclogging the toroidal-forming machine,frequent machine adjustment and repair, and in inferior product in viewof size irregularity.

Still further disadvantages relate to the incapability of completecircular. rotation of the hangers which hold the dough pans, therebyrestricting the freedom of rotation of these hangers and consequentlylimiting feed positioning capability of the dough pans for achieving thecorrect feed angle with respect to a hopper of the toroid-formingmachine. Lack of complete circular rotation of the hangers also involvecomplex mechanism for returning the hangers and dough pans thereon totheir initial feeding positions.

INVENTION OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY It is therefore, an objective of thepresent invention to disclose and provide an apparatus operativelyassociated with the conveyor means for overcoming the aperiodic feedingof the dough elements to the hopper of the toroid-forming machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide dough elementcleat-type holding means of the same material as the conveyor beltsurface for maintaining the same degree of adhesion of the dough elementto the two surfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention'to provide impellingmeans associated with the conveyor for impelling each of the doughelements from the conveyor at a predetermined location thereof, and at auniform rate to the specific toroidtype dough forming machines asdisclosed in prior US. Pat. Nos. 3,031,979 and 3,371,624 as well as toother dough handling or forming apparatus.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide morepositive and regular feeding of the dough elements to the dough feedingmachine by providing roughened edges or grooves at the periphery ofdriven wheels of the impelling means for improving the engagementcharacteristics of the im' pelling means with the dough elements.

It is still another object of the present invention to provideadjustable mounting means on the conveyor for mounting the impellingmeans thereon, thereby enabling the setting of the depth of entry of thedriven impeller wheel into the dough elements and thereby providingoptimum setting of this adjustment for obtaining regularity of impulsivefeeding of the dough elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide relievedportions in the cleat-type holding means for enabling the edge of theimpeller wheel to enter the dough element at the required depth.

It is still a further object of the present invention to providelocking-type fastening means for fastening the impelling means to theconveyor and for enabling adjustment of the impeller means into aselected position of adjustment.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aplurality of hangers with dough pans thereon and which are pivotablysuspended from conveyor drive chains, and where capability of fullcircular rotation about their pivotal suspension is provided.

It is still another object of the present invention to include guidemembers attached .to the conveyor for providing camming action of thehangers for pivoting the hangers and the dough pans to a predeterminedposition, thereby obtaining the best delivery position of the doughelements for engagement with the impeller wheel.

It is a still further object of the present invention to improve thereliability of the process of making toroids, to decrease the down timeand maintenance time of the dough forming machines resulting fromaperiodic feeding of the dough elements, and to improve the quality ofthe product being produced by providing only one dough element at a timeto a dough forming portion of the toroidal-forming machine.

Further objects and various advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing detailed explanations of a first exemplary embodiment and analternative exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings inwhich:

FIG. I is an elevation view of an exemplary apparatus for conveyingdough elements to an impelling means, showing the relationship of theimpelling means with respect to the conveyor, and the relationship. ofthe conveying and impelling means with respect to a toroid-fon'ningmachine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the conveying and impelling means taken alongplane Il-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail section view of a portion of the conveying andimpelling means taken along plane III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention showing another conveying and impelling means arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the conveying and impelling means takenalong plane V-V of FIG. 4 and showing the driving mechanism for theimpelling means; and

FIG. 6 is a detail section view taken along plane VI-VI of FIG. 4 andshowing the relationship of the dough pan, the dough element, theimpeller wheel, and the camming relationship of the dough pan hangerswith guide members of the conveyor.

DETAILED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS A detailed explanation of an exemplaryembodiment of the apparatus for transporting a plurality of uniformlyspaced divided elements ofa tacky dough substance to a predeterminedlocation, and having a conveying means and impelling means may be seenby referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

lmpelling means indicated generally at I, are associated with a conveyormeans indicated generally at I4 for impelling each of the elements fromthe conveyor means at a predetermined location where the conveyor meanscarries the elements into engagement with the impelling means.

lmpelling means 1 in the exemplary embodiment comprises impeller wheels3 and 3 mounted on drive shaft 4 which is driven by drive motor 2. Driveshaft 4 is attached to a coupling of motor 2 at one end and is supportedat the other end in a journal bearing 102. Impeller assembly I havingwheels 3 and 3', motor 2 and drive shaft 4 are attached to two pair ofoppositely disposed spaced parallel arms. Portions 5a and 6a of the leftpair of arms 5 and 6 are used for mounting motor 2 thereon by means ofbolts. Portions 5a and 6a of the right pair of arms 5' and 6' are usedfor securing bearing I02 thereto. The rearward portions 5b, 5b and 6b,6b (not shown) of both pair of arms 5, 6 and 5', 6 are held within slotsof extensions 8 and 8' which are integral portions of journal bearings 7and 7' respectively. Ends 5c and 5c and 6e, 6c of arms 5, 5' and 6, 6'have apertures therein for inserting fastening means such as bolts H3.The apertures in ends 5c and 5c are threaded for enabling fasteningmeans or bolts 13, which are partially threaded, to be tightened so asto pull arms 5, 5 and 6, 6' respectively together, thereby wedgingportions 5b,

5b and 6b, 6b of each pair of arms within the slots of the associatedextensions 8 and 8. Tightening bolts 13 locks adjustable mounting meansconsisting of arms 5,6 and 5, 6' ma selected position of adjustment ofthe impelling means with relation to the dough element holding means 20and the dough element 25. a

The conveyor assembly consists of conveyor belt 15 which is translatedby a pair of rollers 16, one of which is shown. Rollers 116 have shaftsas at 17 supported in journal bearings 7. The right end of shaft 17extends from journal bearing 7 and is used for mounting pulley 18thereon. Pulley I8 is driven by belt 19 which in turn is driven by aconveyor drive means '(not shown).

Tightening or loosening conveyor belt I5 is accomplished by conveyoradjusting means consisting of bolts 11 and 11', a pair of sleeves 12(one is shown) and attached to brackets 10 and 10', and nuts 120. Thisadjustment capability is achieved by having one end of each of bolts 11held respectively in each of extensions 9 (one is shown) of journalbearings 7 and 7'. Bolts II and Ill extend through sleeves 12 which areattached to the main structure of the conveyor assembly by means ofbrackets I0 and 10 respectively. Sleeves 12 have nuts 12a at both endsthereofso that these nuts may be tightened against the ends of sleeves12 when roller 16 has been properly positioned with respect to conveyorbelt 15.

A plural number of cleats 20 are provided for holding divided doughelements 25. These cleats are equally spaced on the surface of conveyorbelt 15. Each of cleats 20 comprises holding portion 21, relievedportion 22, a pair of mounting brackets 23 and 23 attached to thesurface of conveyor belt 15 for pivotably holding the ends of holdingportion 21 by means of pivot means 24 and 24' respectively. Holdingportions 21 of cleats 25 have concave surfaces which actually cooperatewith dough elements 25. The holding portions are of a generallyarc-shaped configuration. The pivotal arrangement of holding portions 21enables this holding portion to adjust itself with respect to doughelement 25 and the surface of conveyor belt 15 as the dough element isbeing moved into position with respect to impeller wheel 3 preparatoryto providing impeller action upon dough element 25.

Relieved portions 22 which are provided in holding members 2 l enable aportion of the impeller wheel to be admitted therein and for enablingadjustment of the impeller means so as to provide the desired depth ofentry of the impeller wheel into the dough elements.

The impeller wheels 3 and 3 are provided with roughened or groovedperipheral edges for improving engagement with the dough elements, forimpelling the elements from the conveyor belt and holding means surfacesas these dough elements are carried into contact with each impellerwheel 3 or 3' such as at 250. Dough element 25 is shown at 25a deformedfrom its initial shape by impeller wheel action thereupon.

It is noted that the speed at the circumference of the impeller wheelshould be substantially higher than the conveyor surface translationspeed. Good impulsive action upon the dough elements was obtained in onearrangement of impeller wheel and conveyor belt, when impeller wheels ofapproximately 2.5-inch diameter were driven at 800 rpm. in combinationwith a conveyor roller diameter of4 inches which was driven at 40r.p.m.-, and provided proper impelling movement of the dough elements ofthe conveyor. This combination provides a linear translation ratio ofimpeller wheel circumference to conveyor belt of l2.5. Inasmuch as therange of impeller wheel circumference to conveyor belt translationratios may have a wide range, these ratios may be higher or lower than12.5 with different diameters of impeller wheel and conveyor roller andcorrespondingly different driving speeds thereof.

Dough element 25 is again shown at 25b after being impelled into hopper26 of a toroid or annulus making apparatus. A chute at 27 shows thedough element at 25c being injected into sleeves 29 ofthe toroid-formingmachine. Toroid-forming mandrel 28 within sleeve 29 forms the toroid inaccordance with a process described in the patents hereinabovereferenced.

Briefly the toroid-forming machine is comprised of hopper 26, chute 27,mandrel 28, sleeves 29 which are attached to links of a continuous linkchain 30, a pair of sprocket wheels .31 (one of which is shown) drivenby drive shaft 32 ofa drive means (not shown) of the toroid'formingmachine in the direction indicated by the arrows. Continuous guidemember 33 which is part of the main structure of the toroid-formingmachine guides sleeves 29 by means of flanged portions on I sleeves 29in cooperation with the outer surface of guide 33.

It is pointed out that the material used to fabricate holding member 21is the same material as used for conveyor belt 15. This is of specificadvantage in that the adhesive qualities between the dough elements andthe conveyor belt are the same as between the dough elements and theholding members. The advantage of maintaining virtually equal adhesivecontact characteristics of the dough elements with respect to thesurfaces of the conveyor and holding means, results in a uniformpull-away of the dough elements from these surfaces. Further, thevirtually equal pull-away characteristics operates to assist the drivenimpeller wheel in providing a supply of dough elements to thetoroid-forming machine at a uniform predetermined rate, positivelyimpelling each of the dough elements from the conveyor to thetoroid-forming machine. Additionally, the roughened edges at theperiphery of the impeller wheels further operate to provide betterengagement with the dough elements and hence provide more positive andregular feeding of the dough elements to the toroid-forming machine.

Additionally, the provision of relieved portions relative to the outerends of the dough element holding means and impeller assembly adjustmentand locking means provide for the setting of the depth of entry of thedriven impeller wheel into the dough elements and hence enable optimumsetting of the impeller apparatus for providing dependable regularity ofimpelling action upon the dough elements.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of a conveyor-impeller combinationis shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, and is generally indicated at 40.

Link chains 41, driven by a motor or other drive means (not shown) areused for driving the conveyor. The link chains are provided with pins 42equally spaced thereabout and sleeve bearings 43 circumjacent said pins.A plurality of hangers 44 are provided with vertical portions which areattached to the outer surfaces of sleeve bearings 43. Dough pans 47 areprovided for each of the plural number of hangers 44. These dough pansare attached to hangers 44 by means of flanges which are integralportions of the pans 47. Dough pans 47 have concave surfaces 48 in eachof which a divided element of a tacky dough substance is retained andcarried thereby. Such dough elements are shown at 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d,and 49e in different locations during the conveying process.

Oppositely disposed guide members 51 and 151 are attached to the mainstructure 64 of the conveyor assembly. These guide members are inclinedat an acute angle with respect to the plane of the conveyor assembly soas to provide pivotal action upon hangers 44 as these hangers aretransported by the conveyor assembly in the direction indicated by arrowin FIG. 5.

lnitially hanger 44 is shown in its normally hanging position at 4511.As the conveyor is translated along the direction of the arrow in' H0.5, horizontal portion 44" of hanger 44 cooperates with the surfaces ofinclined planes of guide members 51 and 151, which are attached to themain structure 64 of the conveyor impeller assembly. This cooperativeaction during conveyor translation causes hanger 44 to be inclined at anacute angle with respect to its initial position as at 45b. Furthertranslation of the conveyor results in cooperation of the surface of theinclined planes at the ends of guide members 51 and 151 with thehorizontal portion of hanger 44 as at 45c.

Oppositely disposed guide members 52 and 152, also attached to mainstructure 64 have curved surfaces 53 and 153 respectively for providingcamming action with hangers 44. As indicated at 45d, curved surfaces 53and 153 of guide members 52 and 152 cooperable with vertical portions 44of hanger 44, providing camming action upon vertical portions 44' andorienting hanger 44 essentially 90 with respect to its initialorientation at 45a.

Hanger 44 is positioned as at 45d during impelling action, however,after the dough element is impelled as at 45c to conveying means 62,which can be a component of a toroid-forming machine, furtherpositioning of hanger 44 is accomplished by camming action of verticalportions 44' of hanger 44 with respect to planar portions 52' and 152 ofguide members 52 and 152 respectively. When the conveyor portion ofassembly 40 transports hanger 44 to the position at 45f, cooperation ofthe hanger with the surfaces of guide members 52 and 152 ceases andhanger 44 is again positioned in its upright initial position as at 45apreparatory for loading the dough pans with more dough elements. Theoperative rotational action of the hangers 44 may be briefly stated. Thenormal hanger position is as at 45a; when first cooperating withinclined planes 51 and 151, the position is as at 45and subsequently asat 450. When the hanger cooperates with curved portions 53 and 153 ofguide members 52 and 152 respectively, the hanger is positioned as at45d. When the hanger cooperates with the flat portions of guides 53 and153, the hanger is positioned as at 452. Subsequent positioning of thehanger when the conveyor chains carry the hanger off of cooperation withthe surfaces of guides 52 and 152, result in hanger position as at45fwhich is identical to the initial starting position at 45a.

Means for impelling divided dough elements are shown at 54. Theimpelling means comprises impeller wheels 55, 55' and 55", shaft 56,sprocket wheels 57 and 157. Sprocket wheel 157 is mounted on shaft 56and sprocket wheel 157 is mounted on shaft 59. Link chain 58 cooperatingwith the sprockets of sprocket wheels 57 and 157 drives impellermechanism. Support structures 61 and 161 are provided for supporting theimpelling means assembly. The ends of shaft 56 are rotatably retained inbearing means associated with support structures 61 and 161. Thesestructures are adjustable so as to position the impelling means withrespect to the dough elements thereby engaging the impeller wheels whichhave roughened peripheral edges with the dough elements, and therebyimpelling the dough elements as shown at 49e onto another conveyingmeans 62 from the position at 49d.

Hence, it is seen that guide members are provided in this ex emplaryalternative conveying apparatus for producing camming action with hangermembers so as to pivot the hanger members and the holding means for thedivided elements to a predetermined element delivery position, whereinthe elements are engaged by the impeller wheel and impelled off of theseholding means. The engagement of the driven impeller wheel with thedough elements results in tangential forces which are applied to theseelements thereby impelling them from their delivery positions to eitheranother conveyor or to a toroid-forming machine.

It is also seen that a plurality of dough pans may be attached to thehanger members of the conveyor for retaining the dough elements whilebeing moved by the conveyor and while being positioned with respect tothe impelling means during the pivotal action of the hanger members.

An important aspect of this invention includes a plurality of hangermembers which are not only pivotally suspended on the conveyingapparatus used for carrying the dough elements, but in addition, thesehanger members have freedom of movement throughout a full circle oftheir individual pivotal suspensions. This circular freedom of movementenables proper pivotal action throughout the entire conveying andimpelling cycle and permits proper positioning of dough pans containingthe dough elements with respect to the impeller apparatus so that theimpeller wheels may engage with the dough elements and positively impelthese elements to a predetermined location of a dough-forming machinefrom a predetermined position of the conveyor-impeller apparatus.

Proper positioning of the hangers carrying the dough pans and theassociated dough elements is therefore accomplished by camming action,of the hangers with inclined plane members and with curved members ofthese inclined plane members associated with the conveyor assembly.

The conveyor assembly not only provides proper positioning for impellingaction with the impeller wheels but also provides a transportation meansfor the dough elements between the proofing and forming steps of theprocess of making toroids.

lclaim:

1. In an apparatus for transporting a plurality of uniformly spaced,divided elements of tacky, deformable, dough substance to apredetermined location, said apparatus including conveyor means forcarrying the uniformly spaced elements to the predetermined location,and holding means associated with the conveyor means for retaining theelements on said conveyor means as they approach the predeterminedlocation; the improvement comprising the provision of:

a rotating impeller wheel and adjustable mounting means for mounting theimpeller wheel at the predetermined location for engagement with eachelement to deform the element to a desired depth of wheel entry into theelement to hold the element to the impeller wheel while the rotationthereof pulls the element away from the conveyor means and the conveyorassociated holding means despite the tackiness of the element and impelthe element from the predetermined location, said wheel havingcircumferential speed substantially higher than the speed of theconveyor means.

2. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said holding meanscomprises:

at least one cleat with a relieved portion between its outer ends foradmitting a portion of said impeller wheel through said relieved portionand for providing the desired depth of entry of said impeller wheel intosaid elements.

3. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein the conveyor meansincludes a conveyor belt, and the holding means comprises a plurality ofcleats spaced along the conveyor belt in two rows, the cleats in one rowbeing staggered from the cleats in the second row, and wherein animpeller wheel and associated mounting means are provided for each rowto impel the elements seriatum and alternately from each row.

4. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said holding means is ofthe same material as the material of the conveyor means for maintainingvirtually equal adhesive contact characteristics of said elements withrespect to the surfaces of said conveyor and holding means and forproviding uniform pull-away of said elements from said surfaces.

5. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 including:

journal bearings mounted at each side of said conveyor means, saidjournal bearings having extensions integral therewith and saidextensions having slots therein;

said adjustable mounting means includes bracket means associated witheach said journal bearing, each said bracket means including a pair ofspaced paralleled arms; and

fastening means associated with each pair of said arms for holding saidarms wedged within said slots and thereby locking said adjustablemounting means in a selected position of adjustment.

6. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein:

said impeller wheel has a roughened peripheral edge for improvingengagement with said elements.

7. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said conveyor meanscomprises:

a plurality of hanger members pivotably suspended on said apparatus andcarrying said holding means, said members having freedom of movementthroughout a full circle of their individual pivotal suspension; and

guide members attached to said apparatus for providing camming actionwith said hanger members to pivot said hanger members and said holdingmeans into a predetermined element delivering position wherein saidelements are engaged by said impeller wheel and impelled off 0 saidholding means.

8. The apparatus as stated in claim 7, said holding means bea pluralityof dough pans attached to said hanger members for retaining saidelements while being moved by said conveyor means and while beingpositioned with respect to said impelling wheel during pivotal action ofsaid hanger members.

9. In an apparatus for transporting a plurality of uniformly spaceddivided elements of a tacky, deformable dough substance to apredetermined location adjacent a dough-forming machine having a doughelement receiving hopper, said apparatus including conveyor means forcarrying the uniformly spaced elements to the predetermined location,and spaced holding means associated with the conveyor means forretaining each element on the conveyor in spaced relationship as eachelement approaches the predetermined location, the improvementcomprising the provision of:

rotating impeller means for deforming the element to hold the element tothe impeller means temporarily, said impeller means having acircumferential speed substantially higher than speed of the conveyormeans; and

adjustable mounting means for mounting the impeller means at thepredetermined location for engagement with each element individually asthe element is moved to the predetermined location to deform the elementto a desired depth of impeller means entry into the element for holdingthe element to the impeller means while the rotation thereof pulls theelement away from the con veyor means and the conveyor means associatedholding means, and impelling the element into the hopper at a uniformand predetermined rate.

1. In an apparatus for transporting a plurality of uniformly spaced,divided elements of tacky, deformable, dough substance to apredetermined location, said apparatus including conveyor means forcarrying the uniformly spaced elements to the predetermined location,and holding means associated with the conveyor means for retaining theelements on said conveyor means as they approach the predeterminedlocation; the improvement comprising the provision of: a rotatingimpeller wheel and adjustable mounting means for mounting the impellerwheel at the predetermined location for engagement with each element todeform the element to a desired depth of wheel entry into the element tohold the element to the impeller wheel while the rotation thereof pullsthe element away from the conveyor means and the conveyor associatedholding means despite the tackiness of the element and impel the elementfrom the predetermined location, said wheel having circumferential speedsubstantially higher than the speed of the conveyor means.
 2. Theapparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises: atleast one cleat with a relieved portion between its outer ends foradmitting a portion of said impeller wheel through said relieved portionand for providing the desired depth of entry of said impeller wheel intosaid elements.
 3. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein theconveyor means includes a conveyor belt, and the holding means comprisesa plurality of cleats spaced along the conveyor belt in two rows, thecleats in one row being staggered from the cleats in the second row, andwherein an impeller wheel and associated mounting means are provided foreach row to impel the elements seriatum and alternately from each row.4. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said holding means is ofthe same material as the material of the conveyor means for maintainingvirtually equal adhesive contact characteristics of said elements withrespect to the surfaces of said conveyor and holding means and forproviding uniform pull-away of said elements from said surfaces.
 5. Theapparatus as stated in claim 1 including: journal bearings mounted ateach side of said conveyor means, said journal bearings havingextensions integral therewith and said extensions having slots therein;said adjustable mounting means includes bracket means associated witheach said journal bearing, each said bracket means including a pair ofspaced paralleled arms; and fastening means associated witH each pair ofsaid arms for holding said arms wedged within said slots and therebylocking said adjustable mounting means in a selected position ofadjustment.
 6. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein: said impellerwheel has a roughened peripheral edge for improving engagement with saidelements.
 7. The apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said conveyormeans comprises: a plurality of hanger members pivotably suspended onsaid apparatus and carrying said holding means, said members havingfreedom of movement throughout a full circle of their individual pivotalsuspension; and guide members attached to said apparatus for providingcamming action with said hanger members to pivot said hanger members andsaid holding means into a predetermined element delivering positionwherein said elements are engaged by said impeller wheel and impelledoff of said holding means.
 8. The apparatus as stated in claim 7, saidholding means being: a plurality of dough pans attached to said hangermembers for retaining said elements while being moved by said conveyormeans and while being positioned with respect to said impelling wheelduring pivotal action of said hanger members.
 9. In an apparatus fortransporting a plurality of uniformly spaced divided elements of atacky, deformable dough substance to a predetermined location adjacent adough-forming machine having a dough element receiving hopper, saidapparatus including conveyor means for carrying the uniformly spacedelements to the predetermined location, and spaced holding meansassociated with the conveyor means for retaining each element on theconveyor in spaced relationship as each element approaches thepredetermined location, the improvement comprising the provision of:rotating impeller means for deforming the element to hold the element tothe impeller means temporarily, said impeller means having acircumferential speed substantially higher than speed of the conveyormeans; and adjustable mounting means for mounting the impeller means atthe predetermined location for engagement with each element individuallyas the element is moved to the predetermined location to deform theelement to a desired depth of impeller means entry into the element forholding the element to the impeller means while the rotation thereofpulls the element away from the conveyor means and the conveyor meansassociated holding means, and impelling the element into the hopper at auniform and predetermined rate.